55 to 65 litre hiking backpacks are ideal for extended hikes, expeditions, long camps and travelling. The large capacity rucksacks offer you the chance to carry a substantial volume of clothing and equipment, be it a cooking stove or tent. So if you are heading off to colder climates, for long camping hikes or even on a Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition, these packs are for you.
There're several key features to look out for and consider, and the usefulness of these will depend on your intended use and personal preference. Some packs which focus on airflow to ensure that your back remains cool, whereas others prioritise tough construction and larger capacities. Organisation is important too, with varying configurations of internal and external pockets offering up new ways of packing and organising your gear. For example, a front stowing or stuffing pocket is good for quick access to your waterproof or map storage, whereas side pockets are perfect for bottle carrying.
Here are four suburb large travel backpack solutions that’ll see you through the mountains to the green pastures and beyond.
If you're only in need of a daypack, we've rounded up the best. If you are heading out into the great outdoors for a couple of days, you'll really benefit from a dry-bag too.
What's the best 55-65 litre packs for expeditions and travelling?
The Trialhead 65 is a remarkable pack at any price, and a great product for novice or experienced trekkers. The large main compartment is topped by a pull-tie system and covered by a large pocketed lid, maximising storage potential while promising a leakproof covering. Access to the main compartment is also available through side zips, allowing you to grab things from the bottom of the pack with ease. Two zipped pockets offer additional quick-access storage and bivi compartment keeps your wet and dry kit separate. The shoulder strap, back height and hip belt are all adjustable to maximise your carry comfort, making the pack feel as light as possible. The pack is hydration system compatible and comes with a rain cover.
The Osprey Kestrel 58L backpack offers a large main compartment, accessible from top and side, topped by a very large and versatile lid featuring a pocket and mesh pouch. On either side of the pack sit two easy access stretch pockets, angled for easy bottle withdrawal. The quick access stowing pocket and rain cover are also well design and positioned. The well-padded shoulder strap adjustment is welcome, though not as comprehensive as others on this list – the ergonomic build however to compensate for this. The hip belt is also well padded and offers up two large, quick access zipped pockets.
Rrp: £279.95
The Lowe Alpine is a hardcore and extremely versatile pack, expanding from 55L to 70L via the expendable lid. The main compartment is zip and side accessible, and externally houses two stretch mesh pockets. Compression straps are placed throughout the design to allow your pack to keep tight and efficient. The shoulder straps and pocketed hip belt are positioned to lighten your loads burden, keep a natural centre of gravity and keep you mobile. There's a number of external hooks and loops for the attachment and retention of trekking poles, helmets and axes. The pack is hydration compatible, includes a rain cover and SOS panel.
www.alpinetrek.co.uk
The Vaude Asymmetric 52+8 pack offers a 52L main compartment with an additional 8L compartment on the bottom of the pack for storage separation. The front pouch is an ample quick access pouch and the two stretch side pockets are perfect for bottle storage. The pocketed lid will prevent leakage into the main compartment, and compression straps will keep the weight distribution under control. The shoulder and hip straps are fully adjustable, and there are hoops for pick or trekking pole storage. The Asymmetric is made from eco-friendly materials and is hydration compatible.